Peel Green Dental

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 25 October 2022 under section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We planned the inspection to check whether the registered practice was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations. The inspection was led by a Care Quality Commission, (CQC), inspector who was supported by a dental adviser.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following 5 questions:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• Is it caring?

• Is it responsive to people’s needs?

• Is it well-led?

These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

Our findings were:

• The dental clinic appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Improvements were needed to ensure appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available. This was immediately addressed.
• The practice did not have effective systems to identify and manage risks to patients and staff.
• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The practice staff recruitment procedures did not reflect current legislation.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines. Systems to audit clinical protocols and record keeping were not effective.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and staff took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• There was a lack of effective leadership. A new manager was in post, but systems of governance and oversight had yet to be established.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
• Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• Complaints were dealt with efficiently. We highlighted areas for improvement in relation to how these are responded to.

Background

The provider has 3 practices and this report is about Peel Green Dental.

Peel Green Dental is in Eccles, Manchester and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

A portable ramp is available to provide access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. On street parking is available near the practice.

The dental team includes 3 dentists, 3 dental nurses who also have reception and administrative duties (one of whom is training to be the practice manager) and 1 dental hygienist. An area manager provides additional management support. The practice has 2 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 2 dentists, the practice manager and the area manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday 8am to 5pm

Tuesday 8.30am to 5pm

Wednesday 10am to 6.30pm

Thursday 8.30am to 5pm

Friday 8am to 1.30pm

The practice also provides an emergency private dental service

Monday to Friday 6pm to 9pm

Saturday and Sunday 11am to 8pm

We identified regulations the provider was not complying with. They must:

• Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care

• Ensure recruitment procedures are established and operated effectively to ensure only fit and proper persons are employed and ensure specified information is available regarding each person employed

Full details of the regulations the provider was not meeting are at the end of this report.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

• Improve the practice's complaint handling procedures when responding to complaints by service users.